“Still one eye closed when faiths of non-Muslim Malaysians come under attack”

Editor’s Note: This is a reaction following the issuance of a permanent injunction against 38-year-old religious activist Wan Asshima Kamaruddin by the Kuching High Court on July 14 for acting unlawfully in inciting the public against Christians and people of other faiths.

The injunction also applies to members of Wan Asshima’s non-governmental organisation (NGO), Pondok Hijrah Muslimah Malaysia, from damaging and desecrating properties belonging to churches, and for violating the constitutional rights of Christians or those of other faiths as per Article 11 of Malaysia’s Federal Constitution. 

 

WHY must non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or the public have to individually or privately seek justice when we have law enforcement agencies and authorities who are supposed to act on the matter both swiftly and vigilantly?

In the case of Wan Asshimah Kamaruddin – who carries the nom de guerre Puteri Mujahidah Wan Asshima Kamaruddin and who claimed to speak for many Islamic organisations in Peninsular Malaysia – there were 61 police reports lodged against her on March 11 last year with regard to her 12-minute inflammatory video speech that threatened worshippers of Christianity and calling for the closure of all churches in Sarawak.

The verdict of a permanent injunction against her follows the civil suit filed against her by three individuals – Ben Diomedes Ujai, Bobby William and Francis James Noew – who represented Sarawakians of Christian faith on March 11.

It took more than a year to seek for justice and through a private prosecution on the matter. Why didn’t the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) act on the matter swiftly and took action against Wan Asshimah as stipulated by Malaysian law without Ujai, William and Noew having to file a lawsuit on the matter?

Sad but true

This shows the failure as well as double standards when it comes to the non-Islamic faiths and minorities rights. When it comes to non-Muslims, the law acts with immediate effect – the latest by 48 hours and a heavier sentence will be imposed.

President of the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) S. Shashi Kumar has filed a private prosecution on December 2020 against two preachers who allegedly continuously been attacking all non-Islamic religions here in Malaysia but the case was dismissed by the Magistrate Court.

Apparently, the AGC has requested the case to be struck out and not to be prolonged further. An appeal has been filed to the High Court which is now pending the date of hearing. This tells us that we need to seek justice on our own when it comes to non-Islamic religion being attacked and insulted.

On Nov 18 last year, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa (as appeared on The Star and Malay Mail) stated that a sterner swift action would be taken under existing laws to allow for more proactive measures against those insulting Islam and other religions.

But till today, we have not seen any proactive action taken on those insulting non-Islamic religions in Malaysia.

What happen to preachers Syakir Nasoha and Idris Sulaiman and many others when hundreds or perhaps thousands of police reports have been lodged against them? Where was the stern and swift action which was referred to by Annuar or that his statement was only intended for denouncers of the Muslim faith?

On July 17, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was cited by The Star as stating that the authorities “will not tolerate insults to any religion, not only Islam but any religion”. Again we are here asking the same question – where was your action against Syakir Nasoha and Idris Sulaiman when they insulted non-Islamic religions in the country.

On Aug 3, the Free Malaysia Today (FMT) news portal quoted the AGC as claiming that they are still studying and still deciding on the remarks made by Idris Sulaiman who insulted Muslims cleaning up other places of worship last December during the massive floods.

Idris has openly insinuated and insulted other places of worship or any religion besides Islam as “satanic”. Is this not seditious enough to warrant stern action? It has been 200 days since the police reports were lodged but the AGC seems to be showing a lackadaisical attitude on the matter.

This clearly portrays that double standards are being practiced by the authorities and law enforcement agencies when non-Muslim faiths are being attacked or insulted. Statements issued by the authorities or the relevant ministries do not seem to be sincere.

Till today, we have yet to see any concrete statement or proactive measures taken by the National Unity Minister either. There is a need to urgently table a Race and Religious Hatred Bill to handle these issues effectively and efficiently.

The law should be fair and just to all. It does not matter what races or religion you come from as stipulated and enshrined in Article 8 of our Federal Constitution. – Aug 12, 2022

 

S. Anbalagan is the secretary-general of the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), a Kuala Lumpur-based NGO fighting against racism, supremacist policies, religious persecution, double standard law enforcement, discrimination and oppression towards the minority groups.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

 

Photo credit: Bernama and The Vibes

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